In the digital age, the line between professional commentary and personal vitriol has become increasingly blurred. This is particularly evident in the recent exchanges between veteran actor Waseem Abbas, political commentator Dr. Shahbaz Gill, and journalist Isar Rana. The conflict began when Waseem Abbas publicly criticized those calling for the release of Imran Khan, leading to a series of "jawabs" (responses) that eventually devolved into personal attacks and, in some cases, extreme profanity on social media platforms.
Waseem Abbas, a respected figure in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, recently released a message in Punjabi that was notably more aggressive than his previous statements. He criticized the "ill-mannered" behavior of political supporters and questioned the leadership of those living abroad. While Abbas claimed he was speaking out against "zulm" (oppression) and for the truth, his use of frustrated and angry tones reflected the high emotional stakes currently present in Pakistani society. Professionals in the communication field note that when seasoned artists enter the political fray, they often find the unregulated environment of social media, where "trolling" is the norm, to be a jarring and hostile landscape.
The situation escalated significantly when a close aide to Maryam Nawaz, Ahsan Chatha, reportedly used extreme profanity against journalist Isar Rana for his analysis of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). This incident serves as a grim reminder of the "news breaks" that often go ignored: the physical and verbal safety of journalists. Isar Rana’s response, however, provided a masterclass in professional ethics. Despite the personal insults directed at his family, Rana responded by stating that the mothers and sisters of his detractors were as respected as his own, refusing to lower himself to the level of his attackers.
This contrast between Rana’s dignified response and the "gali-galoch" (profanity) culture pervasive on Twitter (X) and Facebook highlights a critical need for a new code of conduct in digital discourse. In Pakistan, political disagreement is increasingly expressed through family-based insults, particularly targeting women. Professional insights suggest that this toxicity is being used as a tool to silence dissent and discourage investigative journalism. The endurance of journalists like Isar Rana, who maintain their composure under such duress, is vital for the survival of a free and professional press in an environment increasingly dominated by "digital mobs."
